Would you buy this?

Price

It may not be as large as the Galaxy Mega 6.3 but Samsung's Galaxy Mega 5.8 is still a big smartphone. Announced at the same time as its larger brother, the Galaxy Mega 5.8 gets a downgrade in specifications as well as screen size.

The Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 is basically a smaller Galaxy Mega 6.3 in every way, from screen size, to key specifications and most likely, price. Small isn't the best word to use, though, as the Galaxy Mega 5.8 still weighs a hefty 182g. It's dwarfed by the Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Huawei's Ascend Mate but is larger than the Galaxy Note II. In other words, it's a huge phone.

Predictably, the Galaxy Mega 5.8 is constructed from Samsung's very familiar glossy plastic. Despite being smaller than the Galaxy Mega 6.3, the Mega 5.8 is slightly thicker — 9mm compared to 8mm.

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 has a fairly low screen resolution of 540x960.

The Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8's TFT screen only has a qHD resolution of 540x960, which gives it a pixel density of 190ppi. This is significantly less than all current flagship Android phones, which have full HD 1080p screens, and even many mid-range handsets which tend to use a 720p resolution. The lower screen resolution means you'll clearly be able to distinguish individual pixels on the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and finer details like text won't be as crisp or clear as many other smartphones.

The screen isn't the only place where Samsung has made some sacrifices. Compared to the Galaxy Mega 6.3, the Galaxy Mega 5.8 has a slower, dual core processor (1.4GHz compared to 1.7GHz), just 8GB of internal memory and a 2600mAh removable battery. There's also no 4G model of the Galaxy Mega 5.8.

Thankfully, the phone does have a a microSD card slot to expand the 8GB of internal memory and the camera remains the same as its bigger brother. There's an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera for still photos and full HD video recording and a 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera for video calls.

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 has an 8-megapixel rear facing camera that records full HD video.

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 has the same software as the Galaxy Mega 6.3. It runs the latest version of Android, 4.2 Jelly Bean, but is skinned with Samsung's TouchWIZ user interface.

Features include 'Air View', which enables users to hover their finger over the screen to preview selected information on the phone, such as a video thumbnail, a calendar entry, or a photo gallery, an S Translator app that can translate nine different languages using both text to speech and speech to text, and 'Group Play' which can send music photos and documents to multiple devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

There's also Samsung WatchON which uses an Infrared port on the Galaxy Mega 5.8 to act as a remote control, a split screen feature that can run two apps at a time on the screen, and an S Travel app.

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 is 9mm thick.

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 has a number of camera software features including 'Drama Shot', which takes 100 shots in four seconds, "Sound & Shot' which takes a picture and captures up to nine seconds of audio, and 'Story Album' which groups photos together somewhat like a timeline.

The Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 will be available globally from May and will be initially be released in Europe and Russia.

There's been no word as yet if and when the Galaxy Mega 5.8 will be released in Australia.

The HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile Printer is a great device that fits perfectly into my fast paced and mobile lifestyle. My first impression of the printer itself was how incredibly compact and sleek the device was.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited. Copyright 2013 IDG Communications.
ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved.

Contact Us

With over 25 years of brand awareness and credibility, Good Gear Guide (formerly PC World Australia), consistently delivers editorial excellence through award-winning content and trusted product reviews.